After Afghan Soldier Kills 4 Troops, French to Withdraw?

6 other coalition troops killed in helicopter crash

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 20, 2012 4:55 AM CST

(Newser) – France suspended its training programs in Afghanistan today after an Afghan National Army soldier shot and killed four French troops and wounded 16 others. The soldier, who opened fire at a base in eastern Afghanistan, has been arrested, the BBC reports. French President Nicolas Sarkozy says France may now withdraw from Afghanistan early. "The French army isn't in Afghanistan to be shot at by Afghan soldiers," he said.

In southern Afghanistan, six coalition troops, believed to be Americans, were killed in a helicopter crash. The Taliban claimed responsibility but coalition commanders say there was no enemy activity in the area at the time, the AP reports. The crash is the deadliest in Afghanistan since August last year, when a Chinook helicopter was shot down, killing 30 US troops and seven Afghan soldiers.

A French helicopter takes off from the Nijrab Forward military base in eastern Afghanistan. (Getty Images)

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After Afghan Soldier Kills 4 Troops, French to Withdraw?

6 other coalition troops killed in helicopter crash

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